Most voters want to get along

Most registered voters say they would like to see both political parties cooperate following divisive recall elections, according to a new Marquette Law School poll. “An amazing 84 percent say they would personally like to see the parties cooperate more. This is maybe not too surprising,” says Poll Director Charles Franklin. “A lot of people want cooperation until it’s their side that would be giving up something in the compromise.”

Franklin says the poll shows just 11 percent of those surveyed believe it’s better for the parties to stand for different things even if that prevents cooperation.

On election night both Governor Scott Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett had called for cooperation during their victory and concession speeches. Franklin says, just over half of poll participants think cooperation between the parties is possible. “Fifty-five percent said they thought the parties actually could cooperate.” And 41 percent say the differences are too great for cooperation.

At 61 percent, the poll shows Republicans are more optimistic about cooperation, while 58 percent of independents and 48 percent of Democrats say it’s possible to cooperate.